Chapter 138: Daiyu: How Can I Repay Such Kindness?

Jia Jing studied her for a moment, thought for a while, then suddenly changed the subject and asked:

"Daiyu, have you received any letters from Uncle Lin in Jiangnan lately?"

Daiyu lifted her head, with a hint of doubt, and said softly:

"Third Brother, why did you think to ask this?"

Jia Jing pondered briefly, then said earnestly:

"I heard the Emperor mention Uncle Lin recently, so I asked. I estimate that Uncle Lin should be able to come to Shenjing for a post within the next year or two!"

"Then you and your father could be reunited, no longer separated, and you wouldn't have to suffer in secret!"

Jia Jing chose to bring this up mainly to soothe Daiyu's feelings.

A major factor of Daiyu's melancholy is feeling alone, living in Jia Mansion, with no support.

As written in the "Lament of Buried Flowers":

"Flowers wilt, flowers drift, flowers fill the sky; the red fades, the fragrance ends—who pities them?"

"Three hundred and sixty days a year, wind knives and frost swords press down harshly."

Her melancholy stems not only from a sensitive temperament, but also from losing her mother early and having her father absent, leading to self‑pity, loneliness, sorrow, and a lack of security.

The later tragic end of dying from tears is also closely linked to Lin Ruhai's death.

Therefore, Jia Jing mentioning that Lin Ruhai will come to Shenjing now is to give Daiyu hope, helping ease her inner depression and loneliness.

It seems that once Daiyu learns this, it should greatly lift her spirit, aiding her in calmly and steadily curing her congenital illness.

Of course, Jia Jing is not speaking nonsense.

Since Emperor Jing Sheng Di told him about Lin Ruhai's assassination, he that day already ordered Zhu Que to dispatch the Embroidered Uniform Guard and personal troops to Jiangnan for protection.

With the Embroidered Uniform Guard's abilities, this lifetime Lin Ruhai will not suddenly die of illness in Jiangnan!

And as long as Lin Ruhai lives, his return to Shenjing for a post is only a matter of time.

Jia Jing estimates it should be within the next year or two.

Because Ba Shang's hundred‑thousand‑strong army will be formed, Emperor Jing Sheng Di will no longer be restrained by military authority, and next year will vigorously implement New Policies.

At that time, Jiangnan will become the court's key reform focus, and the salt merchants will become primary targets for crackdown and rectification.

Once the court stabilizes Jiangnan's new reforms and salt administration, given Lin Ruhai's years of salt inspection achievements and his status as a trusted minister of Emperor Jing Sheng Di, he will surely be transferred back to the capital, at least to a position of a departmental vice‑minister.

In fact, according to the Ministry of Personnel's system, Lin Ruhai has inspected salt for many years with outstanding merit and should have already been promoted to an office in Shenjing.

However, Jiangnan's salt tax revenue is so crucial to the court that previously it could not do without the capable Lin Ruhai, so the promotion was repeatedly delayed.

But now the situation differs; Emperor Jing Sheng Di is gradually consolidating power, and the implementation of New Policies is an unstoppable, urgent trend. Once Jiangnan's reforms are on track, Lin Ruhai will surely succeed and return to the capital.

Daiyu, hearing Jia Jing's words, her eyes brightened, a huge look of surprise spread across her face, then her eyes reddened slightly, and she hurriedly asked:

"Third Brother, is everything you said true? Father can come to the capital within a year or two? Yet two months ago his letter didn't mention it..."

Daiyu does not disbelieve Jia Jing, but Lin Ruhai's letter indeed never mentioned it.

Not only did it not speak of returning to the capital, but the letter hinted that they might never meet in this life, urging her to take care of herself against unforeseen events.

This is also one reason Daiyu's illness has not improved lately—her worry over her father's safety.

If her father Lin Ruhai also passes away, she would become an orphan, with no one truly to rely on in the world.

She hasn't even confided this to Zi Juan, keeping it bottled up alone, full of worry and sorrow.

Hearing Jia Jing's words now, she naturally felt half surprise, half doubt.

Jia Jing weighed his words and said slowly:

"Brother can't keep lying to you! Some court matters I shouldn't discuss with you further."

"Uncle Lin is a capable minister the Emperor relies on, delivering over a million taels of salt tax each year without fatigue, his merit lies in the state."

"Logically, he should have been promoted back to the capital long ago, but the court's salt affairs have been mired in problems for a long time; the matter is significant, Jiangnan cannot do without Uncle, so it keeps being delayed."

"However, next year the court's situation will change, and then Jiangnan should send a senior minister to supervise the implementation of New Policies."

"Jiangnan's salt administration is a vital source of state finances and will also be rectified; the Emperor has long intended to curb those lawless salt merchants."

"So, once matters there are settled, Uncle Lin will succeed and return to the capital, and perhaps even rise further!"

Daiyu, hearing this, felt reassured, her face brightened a bit more, but then she said gravely:

"This salt reform must carry considerable risk, right? My father's recent letter hinted at a desperate resolve and entrusting future affairs..."

Beside them, Zi Juan, hearing this, suddenly understood and said:

"No wonder the young lady, upon receiving letters from the south these times, always looks worried, eats poorly, sleeps badly—she's truly concerned about her lord!"

Jia Jing, seeing worry hidden in Daiyu's star‑like eyes, pondered briefly and comforted:

"I won't hide it from you, sister; the danger is certainly there!"

"Uncle Lin has been covertly harmed during this period, but he escaped with only a scare, no injury!"

"After all, salt affairs affect the vital interests of Jiangnan's major salt merchants and the silk‑hat officials connected in the bureaucracy; they have been secretly competing with Uncle Lin!"

"However, you needn't worry; the Emperor already knows this and has specially dispatched Imperial City Guard personnel to protect Uncle."

"A few days ago, I also sent dozens of personal soldiers south to covertly guard; as long as the salt merchants don't openly rebel with swords, Uncle should be fine!"

"Sister, rest assured, Uncle Lin is a senior court minister; I will keep monitoring this and will inform you of any developments."

"You yourself can have Zi Juan fetch some court gazettes from my office to read; if there is news from Jiangnan, the court gazettes will publish it."

"Hmm, thank you again, Third Brother, for your trouble!"

Daiyu only said a single line, then lowered her gaze in silence, feeling both worry and some reassurance.

She worries about her father's safety, for Third Brother has said he was covertly harmed, indicating great danger.

She feels reassured that Third Brother has sent people to protect her father; his personal troops are battle‑hardened veterans, likely able to keep her father safe.

However, Third Brother's kindness grows ever heavier; not only does he summon a famous doctor to treat his own illness, but also sends personal troops for his own father, showing deep affection and great obligation.

With such kindness, how could I ever repay it...

Just as several people were silent, a light laugh was heard.

Only seeing Xue Baichai, face fair as snow and figure voluptuous, she walked in slowly, her watery almond eyes holding a searching intent, she said with a smile:

"Yo! Third Brother is still here! How is sister's health? What are you talking about? Why isn't anyone speaking?"